Attaching the sporran

[Farmer Jones]

When I have seen images of kilts just about anywhere, the sporran is generally shown hanging from a chain that passes over the hips and goes through the belt loop at the back. While going out and about I have observed that some of the local men wear their sporrans hanging from two loops of leather, which hang from the main belt. Is one of these methods more traditional? Is the two loop hanger method generally used more for casual kilts? Does this two loop method reduce wear on the kilt fabric? Or is this nothing more than a matter of taste?

[The Wizard of BC]

The general thinking is that the more traditional way to wear the sporran is with a strap around the waist. The use of the chain/belt arrangement is the more common. We on X Marks advocate the use of a leather strap in place of the chain for daily wear to lessen the wear on the kilt fabric.

The Sporran hangers or suspenders that you have seen are, we believe, a recent invention. These suspenders were disocovered by ""Gentleman of Substance" as a way to lessen the distortion of the front apron by a sporran strap when it is worn too low and under the belly.

As a side note the loops in the back of a kilt are not Belt Loops. They are Sporran Loops and are to keep the sporran strap from falling off the hips of thin men. They appear to be a recent development.

[Downunder Kilt]

Here are two photos of sporrans that are attached directly to the kilt belt by what some call a whang or hodder strap. One is an original period sporran, the other a recreation by our own Harold Cannon
Original used by Harold as model a.jpg

Sporran from Harold Cannon sent 7 Nov 2011.jpg

[TheOfficialBren]

Might one say, Mike, that today's sporran hangers are closer to how the sporran was worn in the earliest days of the kilt?

Btw, Harold did a fantastic job. Several time I have seen his projects on here. He's a talented guy.

[creagdhubh]

Might one say, Mike, that today's sporran hangers are closer to how the sporran was worn in the earliest days of the kilt?

Btw, Harold did a fantastic job. Several time I have seen his projects on here. He's a talented guy.

Quite! Well done, Harold.

[JohntheBiker]

The general thinking is that the more traditional way to wear the sporran is with a strap around the waist. The use of the chain/belt arrangement is the more common. We on X Marks advocate the use of a leather strap in place of the chain for daily wear to lessen the wear on the kilt fabric.

The Sporran hangers or suspenders that you have seen are, we believe, a recent invention. These suspenders were disocovered by ""Gentleman of Substance" as a way to lessen the distortion of the front apron by a sporran strap when it is worn too low and under the belly.

As a side note the loops in the back of a kilt are not Belt Loops. They are Sporran Loops and are to keep the sporran strap from falling off the hips of thin men. They appear to be a recent development.

Given that you are unlikely to wear a kilt belt with a waistcoat, sporran hangers tend to be used with a more casual look since you need something to hang them from. I use them on occasion but generally default to a leather strap, as suggested by Steve.

A gentleman of substance.

[gwynng]

I just returned from Scotland and got some surprised observers on my sporran hangers. All of them really liked the idea and some asked where they could get them. Since I was knocking around town casually (Edinburgh) or hiking in the countryside, a belt and hangers were the ticket. A couple of men sitting outside a pub stopped me as I walked through the Grassmarket and asked specifically about my sporran hangers and both agreed that they thought it superior to the chain or strap. One even identified my tartan as Ramsay Red (as opposed to the more common blue), so I guess he knows his kilts.

Not being a man of particular size, I find the suspender system more comfortable overall. And WAY easier to handle when nature calls. I still use a strap when I am dressing up.

[Downunder Kilt]

Might one say, Mike, that today's sporran hangers are closer to how the sporran was worn in the earliest days of the kilt?

Btw, Harold did a fantastic job. Several time I have seen his projects on here. He's a talented guy.

That is a very valid point OB. Cheers to you Sir

[TJ Kelley]

I own some sporran suspenders. My issue was the sporran weight constantly pulled my belt down, making adjustments necessary and often. I also prefer the strap angle esthetics to the suspender chain dangling down vertically.

[TheOfficialBren]

That is a very valid point OB. Cheers to you Sir

And cheers to you, Mike.

TJ: I have also experimented with hangers and found that same thing to occur. I tend to carry my things with me. Keys (I carry a pretty weighty keychain that makes popping the fog into my pocket very convenient and secure), smartphone (I carry a man-sized one for my man-sized fingers), and billwell (not a billfold, not a wallet--a billwell), coin pouch (though less often these days), and earbuds for my smartphone.

Even though this doesn't seem like a lot whilest trousered (the weight is redistributed), whilest kilted it can be a challenge with hangers. I learned to cinch my belt tightly and soldier on...then I took the advice some of the chaps here and got a strap (never have worn a chain--kilts are too expensive to risk a chain).

I don't mind a hanger once-in-a-while, though I prefer a strap for the most-part.